Let's design the ULTIMATE Blu-ray player

[Victhor]

Originally Posted by Vlad44

1. all the things mentiomed above

2. fully adjustable GUI skins with ability to show/hide DETAILED service info (codec, time, chapter, etc).

3. JOG/DIAL control handle. really miss it since panny nv25 vcr.

I agree...all things mentioned above, plus a TIVO function for the blu-ray player....plus coffee maker on the side.

[jdc115]

I suppose the PS3 is the closest out there but I would add the following:

DTS MA (soon to come I suppose)
DTS MA and TrueHD to pass as bitstream or to decode (let the user decide).
Keep the SACD support and add 5.1 analog outputs
decode HDCDs
Better media player support, I would like to be able to stream all media files from my PC through the PS3. I use to use a D-Link for this and will be setting up my PS3 to do in the future.
Region Free DVD playback (so I can get rid of my Denon DVD player)

And as the poster above me just mentioned: TIVO functions (coffee maker not needed).

[Seretur]

Tron, there's nothing Red Kool-Aidy about the nuisance factor of the firmware updates. Sure you and I and most of the people on this board can perform them, but when it comes to our significant others, not to mention moms and dads, aunts and uncles and everyone else who isn't savvy, who just wants to watch glorious high-def films on Blu-ray -- they shouldn't be forced to deal with that. (And anyway, it's not like the inferior format doesn't have the need for them.) I understand it's an inevitable part of any burgeoning hi-tech format, but then I owned a home computer back in 1983, whereas it took at least a decade and a half before my mom could use one.

So the lack of the need for firmware updates would be the number one thing, still, if we are making the ultimate player -- you know, one that can truly lead to mass adoption. Of course, I fully expect that this will be achieved by the second half of 2008, with the implementation of the final 2.0 spec.

Number two thing: Make all audio codecs available at a touch of the button, i.e. decoded internally. There should always be an option to bitstream them to the receiver for higher-end users, of course. But a support of not only HDMI, but fully decoded audio available through analog outputs as well -- so that they can work with all home theater receivers out there -- would also be of paramount importance to mass adoption.

I fully agree with the need to make warm-up and loading times as short as possible, of course. And, I want the video decoding chipset to be as high-end as possible, comparable to what Panasonic has introduced with its new model.

Apart from that, I'd like the triple- and quadruple-layered discs to be playable on all existing players, but right now, I'm not too concerned with 1440p and other next-gen standards that aren't even in beta yet.

Basically, I want nice Profile 1.1 players that can decode audio and play every disc that happens their way easily. My goal isn't a be-all end-all piece of hi-tech gear, but something that can make Blu-ray a happy and useful product for everyone.

I'm modest that way.

[Anthony P]

I will play

simple player: agree with things above but (assuming I did not miss it)

- 2.0 compatible
- at least one of the HDMI to be 1.3A
- able to choose internal or external decoding
- 3D compatible
- when "continuing" a movie that it remembers where you where last (i..e watch movie 1/2 way, stop, turn off player, tun on player and continues from where it is

recorder
- 500GB HDD
- Tivo
- tape show to HDD or BD and be able to transfer (at faster rate) HDD to BD

ultime MC device
- 1TB HDD
- able to MC from BD to HDD or other disk called BD*
- BD* is like BD but instead of AACS and BD+ uses an encryption that associates disk to a "card". That card can be removed and moved to a different player.
- able to play/record 4 layer BDs

[Vlad44]

panny bd50 seems to be closer to ideal so far...

[Midnightsailor]

Sorry if I missed it but has anyone mentioned Wifi?

[Heart&Soul]

All of the above for under $200.

[tron3]

Originally Posted by Midnightsailor

Sorry if I missed it but has anyone mentioned Wifi?

Don't think so, but what is the benefit of wifi on a blu-ray player? I mean, if it could make milk shakes, would I use it to make milk shakes?

Mmmm, milk shake. Arrrrglglglgl

[johnnymech]

Originally Posted by bhampton

Already been done,.. Ps3.

I agree with this completely. PS3 is (pretty much) a future-proof console, where Wii owners will probably want to upgrade to something else.

[Memnoch71]

Originally Posted by tron3

Don't think so, but what is the benefit of wifi on a blu-ray player? I mean, if it could make milk shakes, would I use it to make milk shakes?

Mmmm, milk shake. Arrrrglglglgl

It depends, by wifi do you mean having a 802.11n wireless network card built in? Because this would be a great advantage in a household that has a Wireless 802.11n network in place. The Player could scan for Firmware updates once a day/night and the consumer would never have to fool with it. (Or at least not very often.)

And while we are at it why not have an Expresso Maker Option?

[coolmilo]

The PS3 will never be the ultimate Blu-ray player as long as it can't decode DTSHD-MA.

I believe they are coming out with the ultimate Blu-ray player anyway - it's called Panasonic DB-50. Panny should add wireless capabilities to it to make it really "ultimate.."

[mystiksuicide]

The most important feature all blu-ray players need is Wi-Fi updates. Id say over 80% of the returns are due to the less than computer savy not being able to do firmware upgrades.

Eliminate that problems and you will see another surge!!!

[tron3]

Ok, I am seeing the benefit of wifi, but not everyone has it. Players also need an RJ45 jack for wired access to updates. Plus other goodies and content they may wish to provide.

[Snowgod]

I also believe the PS3 to be close to the perfect player. I would add analog output for 7.1 connection to older receivers (pre-HDMI). An IR eye to be compatible with remotes. I would like to see Sony make a HT version that looks like other BD players.

[Zvi]

Actually I do want wireless and wired network connectivity on all my AV devices. It's 21st century after all
New denon receivers have web control, i.e. can connect to URL and setup receiver from your PC. BD players need it too. And not everyone can run a network cable to the player.

[CptGreedle]

It would be a PS3 160GB SSD (solid state drive), with wireless backup, and as thin as the current PS2 but as durable as the current PS3. It would come with a bluetooth remote but have an IR port on front for universal remotes. It would support ALL audio and video codecs, and use the latest HDMI. It will support profile 1.1, 2.0, and anything after that.
It would run cool and never collect dust (yeah right). It will have DVR built-in, and a BD/DVD burner as an option. It would run silently. It would be compatible with PSone, PS2, PS3, CD, DVD, BD, SACD, and all other viable formats. It would effortlessly connect to your computer, pc or mac, and be able to access all songs, images, videos, and documents, even DRM protected formats (such as iTunes). It would read the D-BOX information in DVDs and BDs and transmit them to a D-BOX unit or a PS3 controller (or even a new wireless Bluetooth D-BOX for PS3 unit).
It would support 3D technologies and 24p.
And the best part is, it would cost $199!

I can dream can't I?

[Matt X]

I dunno 'bout ultimat BR player, but I know the Ultimate Car to put one in.......





hey look! I managed to figure out how to post pics! I'm learnding Supernintendo Chalmers!

[ken_wilsonii]

agree with everything except add the 5.1 analog outputs

Keep SACD but improve to DSD output and make sure it's passed via HDMI

I would love to be able to get rid of about 10 cables

[guitarist155]

how about adding a screen to the ps3 for sacd playback and aes-ebu output, and a breakout cable with 7.1 analog on balanced xlr jacks. iR capability and an rs232 port

[Beta-guy]

what are BD33 and BD66?